Loch Thom | |
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Location | Inverclyde |
Coordinates | 55°54′40″N 4°47′10″W / 55.91111°N 4.78611°W |
Type | reservoir, Scotland |
Basin countries | United Kingdom |
Max. length | 2.4 km (1.5 mi) |
Surface elevation | 195 m (640 ft) |
Loch Thom is a reservoir which since 1827 has provided a water supply to the town of Greenock in Inverclyde, Scotland. It is named after the civil engineer Robert Thom who designed the scheme which created the reservoir and delivered water via a long aqueduct known as The Cut. Today, as well as providing a water supply, the loch is used for sport fishing and forms part of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park with several attractive walks and a centre at Cornalees Bridge providing nature study facilities.
The loch is about 2.4 km from north to south, curving to the east in a rough C-shape, and is at an elevation of about 195 m above sea level. From the northern arm an outlet feeds southwest a short distance to a compensation reservoir at the centre of the "C", which then connects at Cornalees Bridge to the start of The Cut.